The term "comrade" is strongly associated with communist and socialist regimes, and its use expresses Alexander Ossipon’s desire to be seen to be involved with the revolutionary philosophies the group is discussing. As the description that follows it and the later events of the book show, the term is more than a little ironic: Ossipon’s allegiance to socialist principles is skin deep, and he certainly turns out to be no "comrade" to Mr Verloc.